20 Historic Train Journeys To Take Before You Die
Train travel offers a unique blend of nostalgia and scenic beauty, allowing you to connect with the world in a way few other forms of transport can.
These historic rail journeys take you through breathtaking landscapes—whether it’s crossing continents or snaking through dramatic mountain ranges. With luxury onboard services and the thrill of adventure at every turn, train travel offers a slower, more immersive pace, letting you savor every moment of your journey.
Here are 20 legendary train trips that promise not just a ride, but an unforgettable experience that will stay with you long after the journey ends.
1. Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
Stretching 5,772 miles from Moscow to Vladivostok, this legendary railway is the longest in the world. The week-long journey crosses 8 time zones and showcases Russia’s dramatically changing landscape, from the Ural Mountains to the shores of Lake Baikal.
Winter travelers witness endless snow-covered forests while summer passengers enjoy nearly 24-hour daylight in some regions. The train stops in fascinating cities like Yekaterinburg and Irkutsk, allowing you to stretch your legs.
Most travelers choose second-class (kupé) compartments with four berths, though first-class (SV) offers more privacy with just two beds per cabin.
2. The Glacier Express, Switzerland
Nicknamed the world’s slowest express train, this remarkable journey takes nearly eight hours to travel just 180 miles. The panoramic windows and glass roof panels ensure you won’t miss any of the Swiss Alps’ majesty as you traverse 291 bridges and 91 tunnels.
Starting in Zermatt near the Matterhorn and ending in St. Moritz, the train climbs the Oberalp Pass at 6,670 feet. The white-gloved service includes multi-course meals delivered to your seat while you gaze at glaciers, mountain lakes, and charming villages.
Summer offers lush green valleys while winter transforms the landscape into a sparkling wonderland.
3. The Royal Scotsman, Scotland
Imagine yourself as aristocracy while traveling aboard this luxury hotel on wheels. With just 36 passengers, the Royal Scotsman offers an intimate journey through the Scottish Highlands that larger trains simply can’t match.
Mahogany-paneled cabins feature plush beds and private bathrooms. The observation car, complete with an open-air veranda, provides the perfect spot for watching castles, lochs, and glens roll by while sipping single malt whisky.
Evening stops bring entertainment from local musicians and dancers. The train’s signature journeys last between two and seven nights, with excursions to distilleries, estates, and historic battlefields.
4. The Orient Express, Europe
Few trains evoke mystery and glamour like the Orient Express, immortalized in Agatha Christie’s famous novel. Today’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express preserves the 1920s Art Deco splendor with polished wood, sumptuous upholstery, and antique fixtures.
White-gloved stewards serve champagne in crystal glasses as the train winds through the Alps between London, Paris, Venice, and Istanbul. Passengers dress for dinner, enjoying world-class cuisine prepared by French chefs in the restaurant cars.
The original route connected Paris to Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1883. Each private cabin converts from a sitting room by day to a bedroom at night.
5. The Indian Pacific, Australia
Crossing an entire continent in four days, the Indian Pacific connects Sydney on the Pacific Ocean with Perth on the Indian Ocean. This 2,700-mile journey offers a front-row seat to Australia’s extreme diversity, from the fertile Blue Mountains to the vast Nullarbor Plain.
The train passes through the gold-mining town of Kalgoorlie and makes a stop at the remote outpost of Cook, home to just four permanent residents. Gold Kangaroo class passengers enjoy private cabins and gourmet meals featuring Australian wines and regional specialties.
The longest straight stretch of railway in the world (297 miles without a curve) lies along this route.
6. The Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Unlike most luxury trains, the Rocky Mountaineer travels only by day so passengers won’t miss a moment of the spectacular Canadian Rockies. Glass-domed coaches provide panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and maybe even bears or moose.
The train follows historic routes once used by 19th-century explorers through British Columbia and Alberta. GoldLeaf Service includes a two-level coach with dining below and observation lounge above.
Hosts share stories about passing landmarks like Hell’s Gate canyon and the Last Spike where Canada’s transcontinental railroad was completed. Overnight stays happen in comfortable hotels rather than on board.
7. The Ghan, Australia
Named after the Afghan cameleers who helped explore Australia’s harsh interior, The Ghan travels 1,851 miles between Adelaide and Darwin through the country’s fiery red center. The three-day journey showcases the stark beauty of the Outback, with its ancient rock formations and sprawling cattle stations.
Platinum Service offers spacious cabins with picture windows and full-size en-suite bathrooms. Off-train excursions include underground homes in Coober Pedy and boat tours through Katherine Gorge with its towering sandstone cliffs.
The train’s symbol—a camel and its handler—honors the Afghan pioneers who made inland exploration possible before railways existed.
8. The Blue Train, South Africa
Once used by kings and presidents, South Africa’s Blue Train epitomizes opulent rail travel between Pretoria and Cape Town. The 994-mile, 27-hour journey takes you from the Highveld grasslands through the haunting Great Karoo desert to the vineyard-covered mountains of the Cape.
Butler service comes standard with every suite, which features handmade wood paneling and marble-tiled bathrooms with full-sized tubs. Gold-tinted windows filter the harsh African sun while maintaining the spectacular views.
Formal dinners showcase South African specialties like Karoo lamb and Cape lobster paired with award-winning local wines. A dress code applies in the evening—jacket and tie for gentlemen.
9. The Eastern & Oriental Express, Southeast Asia
Gliding through the lush landscapes of Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, this elegant green and cream train recalls the colonial era of Southeast Asian travel. The journey between Bangkok and Singapore takes three days, passing rice paddies, ancient temples, and tropical forests.
Teakwood-paneled cabins transform from sitting rooms to bedrooms each evening. The open-air observation car at the rear provides the perfect spot for watching the sunset with a Singapore Sling cocktail in hand.
The train stops at the River Kwai Bridge, infamous from WWII, and the Malaysian town of Penang with its unique blend of Chinese, Indian, and British colonial influences.
10. The California Zephyr, USA
Connecting Chicago to San Francisco, the California Zephyr follows the route of America’s first transcontinental railroad through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. The 2,438-mile journey takes 51 hours and crosses the Mississippi River, Colorado Rockies, and Sierra Nevada mountains.
Passengers in the double-decker Superliner cars enjoy panoramic views from the glass-walled observation lounge. The train climbs through 29 mountain tunnels and crosses the Continental Divide at 9,239 feet before descending toward the Pacific.
Winter travelers might see bald eagles along the frozen Colorado River while summer brings wildflowers carpeting mountain meadows.
11. The Belmond Andean Explorer, Peru
South America’s first luxury sleeper train traverses one of the world’s highest rail routes, reaching altitudes of 14,270 feet in the Peruvian Andes. The one- or two-night journey between Cusco and Arequipa passes remote villages where life hasn’t changed for centuries.
Oxygen is available in each cabin to help with altitude adjustment. The train’s design blends Andean influences with contemporary luxury, featuring handwoven fabrics and alpaca wool blankets.
Stops include Lake Titicaca, where passengers can visit the fascinating floating reed islands built by the Uros people. The open-air observation car offers unobstructed views of snow-capped volcanoes and herds of llamas and alpacas.
12. The Grand Canyon Railway, USA
Step back in time on this historic railway that’s been carrying passengers to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon since 1901. The 65-mile journey from Williams, Arizona takes 2 hours and 15 minutes, climbing 1,500 feet through pine forests and prairie.
Old West entertainment includes musicians playing cowboy songs and staged train robberies by horseback bandits. The restored vintage cars range from 1923 Pullman coaches to luxury dome cars with panoramic views.
During winter months, the train transforms into the magical Polar Express night journey based on the beloved children’s book. The railway saved millions of automobile trips to the canyon, helping preserve its pristine environment.
13. The Palace on Wheels, India
Originally composed of personal railway coaches used by India’s maharajas, this weeklong journey showcases the royal heritage of Rajasthan. The train’s 14 coaches are named after former Rajput states, each decorated in the style of the respective royal house.
Starting and ending in Delhi, the circular route visits Jaipur (the Pink City), Udaipur (City of Lakes), and the Taj Mahal in Agra. Each morning brings a new destination to explore with guided excursions included.
Evenings feature local entertainment and cuisine served on silver plates by attendants in traditional attire. The train’s royal blue exterior with gold insignia makes it instantly recognizable at every station.
14. The Sunset Limited, USA
America’s oldest named train has been operating since 1894, making the 1,995-mile journey between New Orleans and Los Angeles. This 48-hour trip passes through the bayous of Louisiana, the deserts of the Southwest, and the mountains of California.
The train skirts the Mexican border for many miles, offering views into another country. Dining car meals feature regional specialties like jambalaya near New Orleans and Southwestern cuisine in Arizona and New Mexico.
The route crosses the mighty Mississippi River and passes through Saguaro National Park with its iconic giant cacti. The name comes from the train’s east-to-west route, following the path of the setting sun.
15. The Golden Eagle, Russia
For those seeking the Trans-Siberian experience with added luxury, the Golden Eagle offers five-star accommodations on this epic journey. Imperial Suites feature king-sized beds, heated bathroom floors, and personal butler service.
Unlike regular Trans-Siberian trains, the Golden Eagle makes extended stops for sightseeing at destinations like Kazan with its white-walled kremlin and Yekaterinburg where the last tsar was executed. The two-week journey includes a detour to Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar.
The bar car features nightly piano performances and vodka tastings with caviar. Winter departures showcase Siberia’s snowy beauty and Lake Baikal frozen solid enough to drive cars across.
16. The Maharajas’ Express, India
Voted the World’s Leading Luxury Train multiple times, this modern marvel recreates the lavish travel style of Indian royalty. The Presidential Suite occupies an entire carriage and features two bedrooms, a living room, and a bathtub—unheard of on most trains.
Several different routes explore India’s Golden Triangle and beyond, with destinations including tiger reserves, ancient temples, and the erotic sculptures of Khajuraho. Elephants often greet passengers at certain stations, adorned in colorful ceremonial garb.
Off-train experiences might include a royal dinner in a palace courtyard, sunset champagne at the Taj Mahal, or a private folk dance performance in the desert.
17. The Bernina Express, Switzerland/Italy
Crossing the Alps between Switzerland and Italy, this engineering marvel climbs to 7,391 feet without using cog wheels, thanks to ingenious spiral tunnels and viaducts. The four-hour journey between Chur and Tirano covers just 90 miles but passes through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges.
The train’s panoramic cars feature windows that extend into the roof, providing unobstructed views of glaciers, palm trees, and everything in between. The dramatic change in scenery—from snow-covered peaks to Mediterranean landscapes—happens in just hours.
UNESCO recognized the line as a World Heritage Site for its harmonious blend with the surrounding environment. The Landwasser Viaduct, where the train emerges from a cliff face tunnel onto a curved bridge, provides the most photographed moment.
18. The Tōhoku Shinkansen, Japan
Japan’s bullet trains revolutionized rail travel, and the Tōhoku Shinkansen showcases this technology while connecting Tokyo with the northern regions of Honshu island. Reaching speeds of 200 mph, the sleek white train with its distinctive pointed nose seems to barely touch the tracks.
The journey to Shin-Aomori takes just over 3 hours to cover 419 miles. Inside, passengers enjoy spacious seating, immaculate cleanliness, and precisely timed departures—trains often leave within seconds of their scheduled time.
Mount Fuji makes a majestic appearance on clear days. Winter travelers witness snow country that inspired many Japanese poets and artists, with some stations featuring heated platforms to melt snow.
19. The Trans-Mongolian Express, Mongolia/Russia
Branching off from the Trans-Siberian route, this train journey offers a more varied cultural experience as it passes through Russia, Mongolia, and China. The landscape transforms dramatically from Siberian forests to the vast Gobi Desert to Chinese mountains.
The border crossing between Mongolia and China includes the fascinating process of changing the train’s wheel bogies, as the track gauge differs between countries. Passengers can watch from the platform as the entire train is lifted and fitted with new wheels.
Ulaanbaatar stops allow visits to traditional ger (yurt) camps. The six-day journey between Moscow and Beijing covers 4,735 miles across the heart of Asia.
20. The El Transcantábrico, Spain
Northern Spain’s narrow-gauge railway carries passengers in vintage luxury along the country’s spectacular Cantabrian coastline. The eight-day journey between Santiago de Compostela and San Sebastián showcases the lush, often overlooked “Green Spain” region.
Suites feature hydromassage showers, individual climate control, and windows that align perfectly with the passing scenery. The train moves mainly at night, allowing days for exploring medieval towns, prehistoric caves, and the Picos de Europa mountains.
Dining focuses on the exceptional cuisine of northern Spain, from Galician seafood to Basque pintxos. A 1923 Pullman lounge car with original wood paneling serves as the social heart of the train.